Everything was normal heading back to the hotel room. The four family members had decided that leaving the country would be the best for Matthew, and they would be leaving early on the next day. This all still seemed like a dream. Why had Matthew been taken in the first place? Why has he been changing his mind on going outside the room? Those questions came, but they quickly left seeing how happy Matthew was.
All was quiet that day as Francis and Arthur figured out flight plans, Alfred talked to Matthew about how amazing America was, and how dreadfully boring their parents' apartment was. The two talked about their respective sports, which was mainly Alfred telling Matthew how no one could beat him in baseball, or football, and that's when Francis and Arthur looked at him with a glare.
"Don't be bragging about your silly games, Alfred," Arthur told him.
Matthew laughed nervously. "I can't say I'm any good at those... I'm more of an ice person..."
Alfred stared a moment. "Dude... You're weird."
"Says the one who plays a sport with an egg-shaped ball."
"Do not dis my sport man! Not cool dude."
Arthur rolled his eyes, and went back to the planning.
Alfred didn't care what his parents were doing. He was just overjoyed that his brother was in front of him again, and warming up to him not as a complete stranger, but now, more like a brother should act around his brother.
"Dude, we have to play something when we get back home, 'kay? There are many video games that must be played, right?"
Matthew sighed. "I don't know about that... I'm not sure about that, Alfred..."
Alfred laughed loudly. "Sure you are! It'll be fun, trust me, would ya?"
The younger of the two exhaled once more. "Yeah, and I'm so sure. It happened so well last time."
Matthew's eyes widened when he realized what he just said, and both of his hands flew to his mouth, covering it so he would not say any more than he already had.
Six eyes were locked on the youngest, who was beginning to crumble under the very thought of what could happen to him going off of... If he told them, or if he didn't. What should he do? Video games... They were talking about video games, and he went completely off-base from there. Matthew kicked himself internally. How could he be so stupid?!
Matthew could feel all of his defenses failing. He could feel himself falling into a decline that would be impossible for him to return back up to. He wasn't prepared for this to happen. Why did he have to open his big mouth?
"Mattie..?" Alfred asked cautiously, but still making the younger recoil. "I... I never let you play video games with me. How would you know...?"
"How do you remember? I thought you were having a hard time remembering all of them," Matthew quickly countered.
Alfred bit his lip. The kid had a point.
Arthur backed up his older son though. "Alfred never did like playing with you lad. I hate to say it, but it was true. Often times, you'd be in the same room, but in the corner or somewhere out of the way, reading or doodling..."
Matthew cursed under his breath in French, causing Francis to gasp. It would be much easier to deal with the blue eyed man, than the green eyed. But honestly, he wasn't expecting anyone to hear him speak at all. However, what was done, was done, what was said, was said, and what was about to happen weighed heavy on the minds of the four men.
"So what did you mean?" Arthur continued on, not wanting to ask the question, but also knowing there was no point in sugarcoating it, or beating around the bush as they kinda already had been doing...
"W-well," Matthew barely managed to stutter out. Should he tell them? Should they know? It seemed like none of them knew what he was talking about... He could still get out of this. But he also knew his family was persistent. They would press him no matter what. They would do it discretely, or straight out. Either way, they would get the information they were looking for, so there was really no point in arguing at that moment.
Saving himself from further questioning, Matthew sighed and said quickly, "Alfred and I were playing thirteen years ago after my practice, and we were roughhousing, and this guy came, and Alfred pushed me down and ran away."
Four of the six eyes turned to Alfred, while Alfred's eyes widened at the statement.
There's no way... I was the hero... Why would I leave Mattie there to fend for himself? He didn't even have his hockey stick! If he did, I wouldn't have played with him... Why did you do it, Alfred?
"Mattie I..." Alfred couldn't get the words out. Horror struck him. It was his fault Matthew was taken. It was his fault.
Arthur couldn't help but glare at his older son. Francis only looked at Alfred, not wanting to believe his ears. Alfred loved Matthew... Alfred was Matthew's hero... So why on Earth would he leave him like that?!
Anger swirled in Arthur's being. He couldn't believe Alfred. He couldn't believe he would do something so selfish and still claim to be the hero. But there was one thing that bothered him... Was Alfred no home with him and Francis the day Matthew was taken? Ah... That was right... Alfred had a friend on Matthew's team... He wanted to go over to said boy's house for a few hours that day... He was at the rink... So how come he was with Matthew after practice?
"Somzing doesn't add up," Francis spoke, breaking the deafening silence. "How come you were not home?" he pointed the question at Alfred.
"He was going to go to a friend's house who was practicing that day as well."
"Zen 'ow come he was goofing around wiz Matthew?"
Alfred looked up from the floor he had suddenly been interested in. "His session was after Matthew's."
"Does it really matter now?" Matthew asked, just wanting this to be done with this.
"Yes!" Arthur suddenly shouted at him. "Of course it matters! There's no way it couldn't! Matthew, you've been missing, and none of us knew why, or who. Now we know why, but we still don't know who!"
"And who cares?!" Matthew shouted, actually shouted back. "I've been missing. You didn't know those things, but I'm back now. Do those things really still matter more?"
Tears were brimming Matthew's tired eyes. He had gotten more sleep in two days than he had in the last week, but it didn't stop him from being wiped.
Francis went to Matthew and wrapped his arms around the boy. "No," he answered. "You matter infinitely more zan zose stupid questions. However... If we do not know... 'e could take more children... Ze pain of losing a child is more zan any parent should have to go zrough."
Arthur nodded, but didn't move any closer to the two. "Losing a child in death is nothing compared to losing a child, not knowing if they are dead or not; not knowing if they're being taken care of or not... Losing a child to something other than death is like a knife in your back you can't pull out without worsening the wound. Losing you, Matthew, and not knowing if you were suffering... Was like going to hell before dying."
Matthew buried his face in Francis' chest. He didn't know how much pain his family was in... He only knew the pain he felt... And oh, they were so different, but the pains stabbed them in the same way. Being away, and having someone taken away seemed like two completely different things... But they shared the same blade, and shared the same wound. The only thing different... Was the body being pierced.
"I'm sorry," Matthew cried quietly into his father's chest. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry... I'm sorry." He kept repeating it over and over again, not actually knowing if it was his fault or not. He went through life believing it was, but he also knew that that was not possible. He couldn't help but keep apologizing. That's what he grew up thinking was the right thing... Say you're sorry and get punished. Easy for him to think... There was cruel punishments, but deep down, Matthew actually thought he deserved them.
Francis ran a hand through his son's hair, rubbing his back in hopes of calming him down.
"It's not your fault... Shhh... Be still..."
Matthew couldn't calm down. He was freaking out too much... But that wouldn't stop his family from trying.
"Come on Mattie," Alfred tried. "I'm super duper sorry about what happened... I was such an ass to do that..."
Arthur agreed with his older son. "Got that right..." His features softened. "Listen, love... It's been a long time... There's not time anymore for regrets. Okay?"
Matthew looked up at his dad, sniffling, but nodding slowly. "I'm sorry," he whispered once more. He wiped the tears from his face, and dried out his eyes. That's all he wanted... was someone to tell him it was okay, and that there was no need to remember. Life is too short for worries...
Suddenly, the door burst open. Someone had a key.
Arthur's eyes widened. "I don't believe it," he said, looking to the man who just entered in disbelief.
"You've taken him away... I want Matthew back now please."
A/N: I'm so sorry guys... I got a little sick... And by little... I mean I could barely sit up let alone stand, and my computer is all the way across the room!